Feeding apparatus

ABSTRACT

A universally adjustable attachment for sequentially feeding small parts to a machine such as a grinder including a flexible air tube through which parts are advanced to approximate loading position, and adjustable structure for placing the part in the machine.

United States Patent [1 1 Brining Nov. 27, 1973 FEEDING APPARATUSInventor: Douglas E. Brining, Southfield,

Mich.

Feedmatic-Detroit, lnc., Southfield, Mich.

Filed: Feb. 28, 1972 Appl. No.: 229,797

Assignee:

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3/1952 Kitterman 51/82 R Peden51/215 H X Jones et a1. 51/103 WH X Primary ExaminerDonald G. KellyAssistant Examiner-Howard N. Goldberg Att0rneyDonald P. Bush [57ABSTRACT A universally adjustable attachment for sequentially feedingsmall parts to a machine such as a grinder including a flexible air tubethrough which parts are advanced to approximate loading position, andadjustable structure for placing the part in the machine.

14 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures Patented Nov. 27, 1975 2 Sheets-Sheet 1FIGS Patented Nov. 27, 1973 2 Sheets-Sheet z FEEDING APPARATUS BRIEFSUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present apparatus is designed to select andorient a sequence of small parts such for example as elongated parts ofcircular cross-section having heads or intermediate flanges. The partsare arranged in a continuous series and upon each operation of thefeeding apparatus the foremost part is advanced from the array and iscaused to drop into a flexible tube interconnecting the parts selectingand orienting device with a loading device and placing the part in amachine tool such for example as a centerless grinder.

Air is admitted into the flexible tube causing the part therein to beadvanced into the loading attachment for displacement into the grinder.

The loading attachment is universally adjustable so as to permit exactlycorrect location thereof with respect to the particular machine toolwith which it is-associated. This adjustment provides for verticalmovement and horizontal movement in paths at right angles to each other,as well as angular adjustment about a horizontal axis.

Loading of the part into the machine tool is accomplished by advancing aplunger which mechanically engages the part and pushes it out of theloading attachment into proper registration with the machine tool.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view showingthe relationship of components of the system.

FIG. 2 is an approximate plan view of the loader.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary section through the loader taken substantiallyon the line 33, FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view on the line 4-4, FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary elevational view of the part feeder. I

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the portion of the part feeder seen in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the part feeder seen from the rightin FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring first to FIG. 1, the feeding apparatus isillustrated as associated with a centerless grinder, only the grindingwheels W of which arejllustrated. The apparatus comprises a vibrationtype part sorting and advancing unit 10 which comprises a bowl 1 2 forreceiving a multiplicity of parts in random orientation, a trackwayalong which the parts are advanced in oriented relationship by vibrationout of the bowl 12 and onto an inclined track 14 by means of .which theparts areadvanced to a device 16for separating the foremost part andadvancing it through a flexible tube 18 to loader mechanism indicatedgenerally at 20.

Referring to FIGS. 2-4, the loader mechanism 20 is adapted to bepositioned adjacent the machine tool by a suitable stationary supportstructure a portion of which is indicated at 22. Mounted on the supportstructure 22 for horizontal adjustment thereon is a bracket 24 guidedfor transverse adjustment by suitable means such as the key 26interposed between the base of the bracket 24 and a cooperating plate 28on the support 22. A feeder support arm 30 is pivoted to bracket 24 asindicated at 32 and may be clamped in adjusted position by a clampingscrew 34 carried thereby and movable through an arcuate slot 36 in thebracket.

Connected to the arm 30 for longitudinal adjustment thereon is anintermediate elongated plate 38 having an elongated groove 40 therein asbest seen in FIG. 4, for the reception of a guiding key 42. The arm 30is provided with a recess 44 adjacent the groove 40 so that the key 42is retained in position. In addition, the arm 30 is provided with spacedrecesses 46 adapted to receive lugs on the key 42 to retain it inposition. Screws 48 are threaded in openings in the intermediate plate38 and extend through elongated recesses or slots 50 provided in the arm30.

The loader includes a vertically depending plate 52 which is connectedto the intermediate plate 38 for adjustment thereto in a directionperpendicular to the adjustment afforded by the elongated slots 50. Forthis purpose the clamping screws 54 are engaged in threaded recesses inthe elongated plate 38 and extend through elongated slots 56 provided inthe plate 52.

From the construction just described it will be observed that the loaderunit is mounted for horizontal movement longitudinally of the key 26,for angular adjustment about the axis of pivot 32, for longitudinaladjustment parallel to the elongated slots 50, and for gen erallyvertical adjustment in the direction of the elongated slots 56. Withthis arrangement the loader may be brought into position adjacent themachine tool such as the centerless grinder, and may be adjusted so thatupon actuation thereof, the part is deposited in working position in thegrinder.

The loader essentially comprises an elongated tubular member 60 slidablein a sleeve 62 carried by the mounting plate 52. At the forward end ofthe tubular member 60 there is provided a part locating nozzle 64 and apart supporting chamber member 66 into which a part P is advanced by airpressure through a flexible tube as will subsequently be described. Thenozzle 64 may be suitable formed to restrain forward movement of thepart until it is positively advanced through the nozzle by mechanismwhich will presently be described.

Supported on the loader parallel to the guide sleeve 62 is an operatingcylinder 70 having a piston therein connected to a piston rod 72connected by a transverse bracket 74 to a plunger 76. The plunger 76 isslidable longitudinally of the tubular loading member 60 and is guidedtherein by a bushing 78 which also constitutes a spring seat for thecompression spring diagrammatically indicated at 80.

The forward end of the plunger 76 is provided with an elongatedcylindrical feed rod 82 which is adapted to move forwardly in thetubular member 60 and to engage the rearward end of the part P and toexpel the part through the nozzle 64 into proper position as indicatedat P on the centerless grinder.

In order to provide for advancing the part into position adjacent thegrinder and for thereafter moving the part into proper working position,the tubular member 60 adjacent its rear end is provided with a collar 86having a projecting ear 88 receiving the threaded end of a guide rod 90which at its forward end carries a bumper element 92. A similar bumperelement 94 is provided on the stationary feeder structure so that uponactuation of the cylinder 70 causing the piston therein to move to theright, the plunger 76 is moved by the bracket 74 to the right and thismotion is transmitted to the tubular member 60 by the spring 80 whichadvances the tubular member to the dotted line position in which thenozzle is located as indicated at 64. When forward movement of thetubular member 60 is arrested the piston rod 72 continues to move theplunger 76 forwardly, further compressing the spring 80 and causing thefeed rod 82 to expel the part P from the loader onto the machine tool.

Preferably, a telescoping housing 96, which may be formed as a spiralspring, interconnects the rear end of the tubular member 60 and the rearend of the plunger 76, housing the spring 80 therein.

After the part P has been loaded into the machine, fluid is reversed inthe cylinder 70, as for example by operation of a limit switch 98 by anactuator 99, returning the parts to the position best illustrated inFIG. 3, thus withdrawing the loader and particularly, the nozzle 64 fromits forward position in which it .would interfere with the normaloperation of the grinder.

Means subsequently to be described are actuated upon each operation ofthe loader to advance a part P through the flexible tube 18 from thepart feeder subsequently to be described. However, at this point it maybe noted that the flexible tube 18 is preferably in the form of a coilspring having a flexible thin air-tight plastic coating. This tube maybe produced by compressing the spring into closed relation in whichadjacent convolutions are in abutment, and dipping the spring to providethe thin flexible plastic coating thereon. The spring may of course beformed of a hard steel capable of withstanding the movement therethroughof a multiplicity of parts without undue wear.

Referring now to FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, the part feeding unit shown at 16 inFIG. 1 is illustratedin detail. The construction comprises a fixedsupport plate 100 having a connector 102 to which the flexible tube 18is attached. The track 14 interconnecting the feeding bowl 12 and thefeed unit 16 comprises a pair of laterally spaced rails 104 and anintermediate rail 106 which overlies the space between the rails 104.The rails are appropriately positioned in accordance with the dimensionsof the part which is to be advanced and the intermediate rail 106retains the parts against vertical movement off of the support rails104. Fixedly mounted on the plate 100 is a slide block 108 having anopening 109 therethrough receiving the upper end of connector 102 andhaving a transversely extending recess 110 best seen in FIG. 7, andpartially overlaid by removable cover members 112 which are adapted toretain a slide 114 therein for movement longitudinally of the recess 110by suitable actuating means such as a piston rod 116 connected to theslide 114 by a coupler 118.

The slide 114 serves among its other functions as a valve and for thispurpose is provided with a port 120 opening at one edge of the slideinto a transversely extending passage 122 which in turn is connected toa downwardly extending passage 124 which is adapted to supply air intothe upper end of the fitting or connector 102, as will subsequently bedescribed. I I

Cooperating with the valve means constituted by the port 120 and thepassages 122, 124 is an air inlet comprising a tapered threaded opening126 provided in the side of the slide block 108. With the parts intheposition illustrated in FIG. 5, the valve structure 120, 122, 124 is outof alignment with the air inlet port constituted by the opening 126, andaccordingly, air is cut off from the flexible tube 18.

The slide 114 is also provided with a vertically extending opening 127which is moved by movement of the slide 114 either into or out ofregistration with opening 128 in the connector 102.

When the slide 1 14 moves to the left as seen in FIG. 5, until the portis in registration with the opening 126, air under suitable pressure isadmitted into the upper end of the connector 102.

Carried by the slide 114 is a block 130 which carries a finger 132having an inclined part feeding surface 134. A second block 136 iscarried at the opposite end of the slide 114 by means of a bracket 138formed integrally with the block 136 and bolted or otherwise secured tothe end of the slide 114 as indicated at 140. The bracket 138 isconnected to the coupler 118 so that upon operation of a fluid actuatedcylinder (not shown) the slide 114 and associated mechanism isreciprocated horizontally or from right to left as viewed in FIGS. 5 and6.

A stop finger 142 is carried by the block 136 and works in conjunctionwith the finger 132 to advance parts one at a time for movement to theloader 20. With the parts in the position illustrated in FIG. 5 thefinger 132 is retracted from the path of advance of parts P and theforemost part of an assembly advancing along the rails 104 is inengagement with the stop 142. As the slide 114 is moved to the left bythe piston rod 1 16, the pointed end of the finger 132 enters into thespace between the foremost part and the next adjacent part as the stopfinger 142 is retracted. When the stop finger 142 moves out of the pathof advance of the part, the inclined feeding surface of the finger 132advances the part toward the opening into the flexible tube 18.

Mounted in fixed position on the slide block 108 is a stationary block148 having a through opening 157 and which includes rearwardly extendingarms 150 to which the forward ends of rails 104 are connected bysuitable means such as the bolts indicated at 152. Suitably secured tothe top of the block 148 is a stop 154 the rearward edge of which isrecessed as indicated at 156 for the reception of the head or properlydimensioned flange of a work part P.

Extending across and interconnecting the front top portions of theblocks 130 and 136 is a guide strip 160 having in its lower edge a notch162 dimensioned to permit passage therethrough of the head orcorresponding portion of the work part P. The stop 154 carried at thetop of the block 148 has the arcuate recess 156 in its front face inposition to receive the head or corresponding portion of the work part Pwhen the slide 114 is to the right as seen in FIGS. 5 and 6.Accordingly, at this time a part which has been advanced by the inclinedsurface 134 of the finger 132 is permitted to move by gravity intovertical alignment with the openings 157, 127, and 128, and to drop bygravity down through the connection 102 into the flexible tube 18. Thispart will move down to the bottom of the curved portion of the flexibletube where it will remain until the slide 114 is next moved to the leftas seen in FIGS. 5 and 6.

Upon movement of the slide 1 14 to the left, the vertical opening 127through the slide moves out of alignment with the exit passage for thepart and upon completion of its movement to the left the valve meansconstituted by the passages 122 and 124 are connected by the port 120 tothe inlet opening 126 and air under suitable pressure is admitted intothe tube, thus moving the part through the tube and into the positionillustrated in full lines in FIG. 3. The part which has been advanced bythe finger 132 engages the guide strip 160 at a point spaced from thenotch 162 therein and accordingly, the part is not permitted to advanceinto alignment with the exit opening. When however, the slide 114 movesto the position illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the notch 162 in the strip160 permits the part to move into the recess 156 in stop 154 and at thistime the part drops by gravity and falls into the flexible tube pendingthe next admission of a charge'of compressed air to advance the part tothe loader.

In general terms it will be observed that the feeding apparatus orientsvarious parts into feeding position where the parts are advanced one ata time into the flexible tube leading to the loader. In timed relationto operation of the feeding apparatus, the loader is operated to receivea work part and to shift the loader into operative position with respectto the grinder, after which the part is ejected from the loader directlyinto working position on the grinder.

Since the loader is provided with universal adjustability it may beassociated with grinders or other machine tools occupying slightlydifferent positions and brought into conformity therewith. Thisadjustment is permitted in part by the flexible part feeding tubewithout requiring adjustment of the feeding apparatus.

Also, the part loader is characterized by the fact that the mechanismthereon which actually deposits the part on the machine tool has asubstantial movement as for example, 8 or 10 inches into and out ofloading position so that after loading, the part which actually depositsthe work part on the machine is withdrawn to a position where it willnot interfere with operation of the machine tool nor be adverselyaffected by coolant, dust, or the like.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. Part feeding and loading equipment for a machine tool comprising afeeder including means for orienting and advancing work parts insequence toward a machine tool, a loader arranged to receive individualparts from the feeder and to deposit them in position to be operated onby the machine tool, and means for adjusting the position of the loaderindependently of said feeder to conform to the position of the machinetool, the means for adjusting said loader comprising pivot means foradjusting the orientation thereof and means for effecting universaladjustment of the location thereof, the means for effecting universaladjustment of the location of the loader comprising means for adjustingthe loader substantially horizontally in a first direction, separatemeans for adjusting the loader substantially horizontally in a directionsubstantially at right angles to said first direction, and separatemeans for adjusting said loader substantially vertically.

2. Equipment as defined in claim 1 comprising in addition a flexibleconduit connecting said feeder and loader.

3. Equipment as defined in claim 2 in which said loader comprises aguide, a loading member movable on said guide toward and away from theworking position of a work part on the machine tool, said conduit beingconnected to said loading member.

4. Part feeding and locating equipment for a machine tool comprising afeeder including means for orienting and advancing work parts insequence toward a machine tool, a loader arranged to receive individualparts from the feeder and to deposit them in position to be operated onby the machine tool, and means for adjusting the position of the loaderindependently of said feeder to conform to the position of the machinetool, said loader comprising a guide, a loading member movable on saidguide toward and away from the machine tool, and means operable whensaid loading member is adjacent the machine tool for displacing a workpart from the loader onto the machine tool.

5. Equipment as defined in claim 4, said last recited means comprising achamber at the portion of said loading member adjacent the tool, anozzle, a plunger connected to said loading member for movement withsaid loading member, and movable relative to said loading member whensaid loading member is adjacent the machine tool to eject a work partfrom said chamber through said nozzle into working position.

6. Equipment as defined in claim 5 which comprises spring meansconnecting said plunger and loading member, and actuating meansconnected directly to said plunger to move said loading member towardthe machine tool upon movement of said plunger through said springmeans.

7, A loader for a machine tool comprising a guide, a loading membermovable on said guide toward and away from the machine tool, a chamberat the portion of said loading member adjacent the tool, a nozzle, aplunger connected to said loading member for movement with said loadingmember, and movable relative to said loading member when said loadingmember is adjacent the machine tool to eject a work part from saidchamber through said nozzle into working position.

8. A loader as defined in claim 7 which comprises spring meansconnecting said plunger and loading member, and actuating meansconnected directly to said plunger to move said loading member towardthe machine tool upon movement of said plunger through said springmeans. 7

9. Part feeding and locating equipment for a machine tool comprising afeeder including means for orienting and advancing work parts insequence toward a machine tool, a loader arranged to receive individualparts from the feeder and to deposit them in position to be operated onby the machine tool, a flexible tube connecting said feeder and loader,said feeder comprising means for separating the foremost one of an arrayof work parts positioned at said feeder and for dropping it into theupwardly open end of said tube, additional meansfor thereafter admittinga charge of compressed air into said tube in rear of the work partreceived therein to advance the work part therein to said loader, andmeans for adjusting the position of the loader independently of saidfeed to conform to the position of the machine tool.

10. Equipment as defined in claim 9 in which the additional meansrecited therein comprises a slide, valving means controlled by movementof said slide to admit air to said tube, and abutment means movable withsaid slide to permit or prevent movement of a work part into said tube.v

11. Equipment as defined in claim 10 in which said valving meanscomprises air passage means formed in said slide.

12. Part feeding and loadingequipment for a machine tool comprising afeeder including means for orienting and advancing a series of workparts in oriented relation, a flexible tube connected at one end to saidfeeder, means associated with said feeder for separating the foremost ofsaid parts from said series and advancing said foremost part into saidtube, a loader connected to the other end of said tube, said loadercomprising means for receiving individual work parts from said tube andfor depositing them in position to be operated on by the machine tool,means for advancing individual parts through said tube to said loader,and means for adjusting the position of said loader independently of theposition of said feeder to conform to the position of the machine tool.

part therein.

1. Part feeding and loading equipment for a machine tool comprising afeeder including means for orienting and advancing work parts insequence toward a machine tool, a loader arranged to receive individualparts from the feeder and to deposit them in position to be operated onby the machine tool, and means for adjusting the position of the loaderindependently of said feeder to conform to the position of the machinetool, the means for adjusting said loader comprising pivot means foradjusting the orientation thereof and means for effecting universaladjustment of the location thereof, the means for effecting universaladjustment of the location of the loader comprising means for adjustingthe loader substantially horizontally in a first direction, separatemeans for adjusting the loader substantially horizontally in a directionsubstantially at right angles to said first direction, and separatemeans for adjusting said loader substantially vertically.
 2. Equipmentas defined in claim 1 comprising in addition a flexible conduitconnecting said feeder and loader.
 3. Equipment as defined in claim 2 inwhich said loader comprises a guide, a loading member movable on saidguide toward and away from the working position of a work part on themachine tool, said conduit being connected to said loading member. 4.Part feeding and locating equipment for a machine tool comprising afeeder including means for orienting and advancing work parts insequence toward a machine tool, a loader arranged to receive individualparts from the feeder and to deposit them in position to be operated onby the machine tool, and means for adjusting the position of the loaderindependently of said feeder to conform to the position of the machinetool, said loader comprising a guide, a loading member movable on saidguide toward and away from the machine tool, and means operable whensaid loading member is adjacent the machine tool for displacing a workpart from the loader onto the machine tool.
 5. Equipment as defined inclaim 4, said last recited means comprising a chamber at the portion ofsaid loading member adjacent the tool, a nozzle, a plunger connected tosaid loading member for movement with said loading member, and movablerelative to said loading member when said loading member is adjacent themachine tool to eject a work part from said chamber through said nozzleinto working position.
 6. Equipment as defined in claim 5 whichcomprises spring means connecting said plunger and loading member, andactuating means connected directly to said plunger to move said loadingmember toward the machine tool upon movement of said plunger throughsaid spring means.
 7. A loader for a machine tool comprising a guide, aloading member movable on said guide toward and away from the machinetool, a chamber at the portion of said loading member adjacent the tool,a nozzle, a plunger connected to said loading member for movement withsaid loading member, and movable relative to said loading member whensaid loading member is adjacent the machine tool to eject a work partfrom said chamber through said nozzle into working position.
 8. A loaderas defined in claim 7 which comprises spring means connecting saidplunger and loading member, and actuating means connected directly tosaid plunger to move said loading member toward the machine tool uponmovement of said plunger through said spring means.
 9. Part feeding andlocating equipment for a machine tool comprising a feeder includingmeans for orienting and advancing work parts in sequence toward amachine tool, a loader arranged to receive individual parts from thefeeder and to deposit them in position to be operated on by the machinetooL, a flexible tube connecting said feeder and loader, said feedercomprising means for separating the foremost one of an array of workparts positioned at said feeder and for dropping it into the upwardlyopen end of said tube, additional means for thereafter admitting acharge of compressed air into said tube in rear of the work partreceived therein to advance the work part therein to said loader, andmeans for adjusting the position of the loader independently of saidfeed to conform to the position of the machine tool.
 10. Equipment asdefined in claim 9 in which the additional means recited thereincomprises a slide, valving means controlled by movement of said slide toadmit air to said tube, and abutment means movable with said slide topermit or prevent movement of a work part into said tube.
 11. Equipmentas defined in claim 10 in which said valving means comprises air passagemeans formed in said slide.
 12. Part feeding and loading equipment for amachine tool comprising a feeder including means for orienting andadvancing a series of work parts in oriented relation, a flexible tubeconnected at one end to said feeder, means associated with said feederfor separating the foremost of said parts from said series and advancingsaid foremost part into said tube, a loader connected to the other endof said tube, said loader comprising means for receiving individual workparts from said tube and for depositing them in position to be operatedon by the machine tool, means for advancing individual parts throughsaid tube to said loader, and means for adjusting the position of saidloader independently of the position of said feeder to conform to theposition of the machine tool.
 13. Equipment as defined in claim 12 inwhich the means for advancing individual parts through said tubecomprises means operable in timed relation to the means for separtingthe foremost of said parts from said series and advancing it into saidtube.
 14. Equipment as defined in claim 13 in which the means foradvancing the individual parts through said tube comprises means foradmitting a charge of compressed air into said tube in rear of anindividual work part therein.